United join three others on four points

A first half Jon Daly goal was enough to secure three away points for Dundee United at Tynecastle this afternoon.

United went into the game with David Goodwillie after the club accepted an offer from Blackburn Rovers, which allows the young striker to discuss personal terms with the Lancashire side.

Hearts went into the game looking to build on two decent away results in their first two competitive games of the season, drawing at Ibrox in the League last week and then in Hungary in midweek.

Hearts' Stephen Elliott missed a chance before Daly headed home unmarked from a Willo Flood corner on 38 minutes after winning the corner by forcing a save from home goalkeeper Marian Kello.

Kello and United's Dusan Pernis both excelled in an exciting second half, with Kello saving from Kenneth and Pernis from Ryan Stevenson.

United join Motherwell, Rangers and St. Mirren on four points at the top of the table, showing once again there is little to choose between the teams in the SPL outside the top two.

It may also, at this early stage, show that Hearts don’t have what it takes to split the Old Firm after all.